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Huntsville and Colorado Springs bury the Space Command hatchet

The partnership is turning two aerospace development rivals into teammates in the game to land work around the $185 billion Golden Dome initiative.

Aerospace

Colorado Springs and Huntsville are putting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="their feud over" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/20/trump-colorado-springs-space-command-amicus-brief" data-vars-content-id="0c606f75-b416-4b9f-b49f-38ce56e676b5" data-vars-headline="Huntsville and Colorado Springs bury the Space Command hatchet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/20/trump-colorado-springs-space-command-amicus-brief" target="_self">their feud over</a> U.S. Space Command behind them to focus on the next big aerospace imperative: Golden Dome. Why it matters: The partnership is turning two aerospace development rivals into teammates in the game to land work around the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$185 billion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/22/trump-guetlein-golden-dome-interceptors" data-vars-content-id="0c606f75-b416-4b9f-b49f-38ce56e676b5" data-vars-headline="Huntsville and Colorado Springs bury the Space Command hatchet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/22/trump-guetlein-golden-dome-interceptors" target="_self">$185 billion</a> Golden Dome initiative.

Alabama submits bid to build Space Academy in Huntsville

Landing the academy would be another generational opportunity for the Rocket City, further cementing its status as an aerospace hub.

With U.S. Space Command&#x27;s relocation <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in full swing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/12/10/space-command-huntsville-alabama-redstone-arsenal" data-vars-content-id="d561c643-d48f-43e0-aeab-c58946e70336" data-vars-headline="Alabama submits bid to build Space Academy in Huntsville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/12/10/space-command-huntsville-alabama-redstone-arsenal" target="_self">in full swing</a>, Alabama and Huntsville are setting their sights on the next big get: U.S. Space Academy.Why it matters: Landing the academy would be another generational opportunity for the Rocket City, further cementing its status as an aerospace hub and one of the country&#x27;s most important centers for space research and leadership.

Advanced Navigation launches major Huntsville expansion

The Australia-based company manufactures navigational systems for when GPS isn't available.

Advanced Navigation America is launching an expansion that could more than triple its Huntsville workforce.Why it matters: The expansion adds to Huntsville&#x27;s growing advanced manufacturing field, fueled by a deep talent pool and proximity to aerospace and defense customers.

Pickleball picks up momentum in Huntsville

New player registrations have skyrocketed over the past year — more than almost anywhere else in the country.

Development

Pickleball isn&#x27;t losing any momentum in Huntsville. Why it matters: The city continues to invest in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new pickleball infrastructure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/06/16/john-hunt-rec-center-opens-huntsville-covered-pickleball-courts-sports-tourism" data-vars-content-id="2c37c189-9c21-4382-b4dc-383edcb8d59b" data-vars-headline="Pickleball picks up momentum in Huntsville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2026/06/16/john-hunt-rec-center-opens-huntsville-covered-pickleball-courts-sports-tourism" target="_self">new pickleball infrastructure</a> as new player registrations have skyrocketed over the past year — more than almost anywhere else in the country, per new national rankings.

North Alabama pipeline moves to early study phase

The pipeline could affect landowners and influence the area's growth and energy bills for decades.

Environment

The North Alabama Public Energy District is taking the first steps toward constructing a new natural gas pipeline across North Alabama. Why it matters: The pipeline could become a major cog in the region&#x27;s energy machine and could affect landowners and influence the area&#x27;s growth and energy bills for decades.

Monopoly hands the dice to Huntsville for new city edition

The famed real estate board game Monopoly is publishing a Huntsville edition next year and is seeking community suggestions.

Culture

The famed real estate board game Monopoly is publishing a Huntsville edition next year. Why it matters: Boardwalk, Parkway Place? More like U.S. Space and Rocket Center and Big Spring Park.

$50M Lewter District project takes shape downtown

The project includes the repurposing of the Lewter Hardware building and the construction of a five-story office building and 14 luxury townhomes.

Business

Developers are preparing to cut the ribbon on the 1.5-acre Lewter District in Huntsville.Why it matters: An effort that began with repurposing the historic Lewter Hardware building is now aiming to establish a mixed-use area downtown.

Front Row opens leasing, targets June move-ins

The sprawling mixed-use development has launched its official website.

Business Brief

The Residences at Front Row is getting ready to sign its first leases for a targeted June move-in date. Why it matters: The sprawling mixed-use development under construction across from the Von Braun Center has been years in the making and is expected to help transform that &quot;gateway&quot; into downtown.

Inside Huntsville's new smaller-format Ikea

The grand opening of Ikea's first Alabama location is on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

After <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="months of" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/ikea-huntsville-alabama-store-midcity-opening" data-vars-content-id="3580d4e1-04ed-4988-814f-056567a76daf" data-vars-headline="Inside Huntsville&#x27;s new smaller-format Ikea" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/12/ikea-huntsville-alabama-store-midcity-opening" target="_self">months of</a> anticipation, Ikea opens Wednesday on University Drive. Why it matters: Ranking high among Huntsville&#x27;s most-wanted retailers, Ikea is bringing its new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="smaller-format store" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ikea.com/us/en/newsroom/corporate-news/ikea-u-s-to-celebrate-grand-opening-of-first-location-in-alabama-on-february-25-pubf3895110/" data-vars-content-id="3580d4e1-04ed-4988-814f-056567a76daf" data-vars-headline="Inside Huntsville&#x27;s new smaller-format Ikea" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ikea.com/us/en/newsroom/corporate-news/ikea-u-s-to-celebrate-grand-opening-of-first-location-in-alabama-on-february-25-pubf3895110/" target="_blank">smaller-format store</a> to the Rocket City, targeting the rapidly growing area for its first store in Alabama.

Exclusive: MidCity unveils major expansion with new music venue and tech hub

In plans shared first with Axios, developer RCP Companies plans to build a new music venue, two hotels, a tech campus and more.

MidCity will build a new music venue, two hotels, a tech campus and more as part of a $300 million, 12-acre expansion.Why it matters: The public-private partnership is defining what mixed-use developments in Huntsville can be: an &quot;18-hour district,&quot; where people can find an apartment, start a new company or catch a show.

Eli Lilly makes Alabama history with $6B Huntsville plant

Eli Lilly plans to start work next year on a facility that will produce orforglipron, officials announced Tuesday in Huntsville.

Eli Lilly chose Huntsville for its newest manufacturing plant — a $6 billion project and the largest single-site investment in Alabama history.Why it matters: The project aims to transform Huntsville, and the state, into a world leader in biopharma manufacturing.

The how and why of Huntsville's annexation spree

Huntsville has added 2,257 acres in annexations this year, per city data.

Huntsville is growing quickly — not only in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="population" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/06/25/huntsville-population-growth-trend" data-vars-content-id="e08dab13-e66b-4380-a014-317c72e161c9" data-vars-headline="The how and why of Huntsville&#x27;s annexation spree" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/06/25/huntsville-population-growth-trend" target="_self">population</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="employment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/21/huntsville-drone-facility-pdw-defense-tech-us-military" data-vars-content-id="e08dab13-e66b-4380-a014-317c72e161c9" data-vars-headline="The how and why of Huntsville&#x27;s annexation spree" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/08/21/huntsville-drone-facility-pdw-defense-tech-us-military" target="_self">employment</a>, but in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="square footage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/07/10/council-weighs-1-000-acre-annexation-tonight" data-vars-content-id="e08dab13-e66b-4380-a014-317c72e161c9" data-vars-headline="The how and why of Huntsville&#x27;s annexation spree" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/07/10/council-weighs-1-000-acre-annexation-tonight" target="_self">square footage</a>. Why it matters: The city has added 2,257 acres in annexations this year, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per city data" data-vars-click-url="https://maps.huntsvilleal.gov/server/rest/services/Boundaries/CityAnnexationsByYear/MapServer" data-vars-content-id="e08dab13-e66b-4380-a014-317c72e161c9" data-vars-headline="The how and why of Huntsville&#x27;s annexation spree" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://maps.huntsvilleal.gov/server/rest/services/Boundaries/CityAnnexationsByYear/MapServer" target="_blank">per city data</a>, making it larger in land area than Chicago and raising questions about city services and strategy.

Are Huntsville homeowners "locked in?"

Huntsville's housing market sees a surge in listings as sellers adjust to a new normal in mortgage rates.

Real Estate

One bright spot in this <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bummer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/25/housing-home-sales-mortgage-rates" data-vars-content-id="7abfb23a-f674-44c8-a869-6df631cbd20c" data-vars-headline="Are Huntsville homeowners &quot;locked in?&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/25/housing-home-sales-mortgage-rates" target="_self">bummer</a> housing market: More listings are shaking loose.Why it matters: Some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homeowners" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/10/covid-home-prices-trends" data-vars-content-id="7abfb23a-f674-44c8-a869-6df631cbd20c" data-vars-headline="Are Huntsville homeowners &quot;locked in?&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/10/covid-home-prices-trends" target="_self">homeowners</a> sitting on low mortgage rates are finally selling, including in Huntsville, where inventory is on the rise.

Real Estate 🏠

North Alabama pipeline moves to early study phase

Monopoly hands the dice to Huntsville for new city edition

$50M Lewter District project takes shape downtown

Front Row opens leasing, targets June move-ins

Inside Huntsville's new smaller-format Ikea